The closer it got to the end of the day, the more eager Kathryn became for whatever new adventure an overnight bag promised. As the last of the crew left the Russo compound, Kathryn was consumed with Jake’s tight-lipped surprise.
He teased her with a hint. “Somewhere off the beaten path, but with great food. Natural, woodsy, but still nice. No evening gowns or anything. Casual. Comfortable. Oh,” his expression brightened, “you’ll need a bathing suit.”
Disappointed, she gave him a frown that matched the knit in her brow.
“Or not,” he said with a supremely naughty grin.
Trying to pack, she picked through her limited wardrobe. When Jake had rushed her to his place in the middle of the night, she’d grabbed only the essentials. And who the hell packs swimwear when they think they’re going into protection? Reconsidering his advice, she answered herself with a giggle.
I guess the answer is “or not.”
Jake knocked lightly, waving an Amazon box in his hand. “Delivery for Ms. Kathryn Chase.”
“I didn’t order anything,” she said slowly, a little wary about the unexpected package.
“You didn’t? Then I guess I did. Just in case you didn’t have everything you needed for our trip. We’ll take off when you’re ready.”
As soon as he ducked out of the room, she tore open the package. Inside were several bikinis in various styles and sizes—and levels of skimpiness. There was even a few sheer cover-ups and some fancy flip-flops. Her inventory of the box led to one revelation.
Jake’s definitely not a fan of the one-piece.
She lifted out a string bikini bottom, dancing the scanty scrap of stretchiness before her eyes.
Or very much fabric at all.
With a final swing, she tossed the bottoms into her suitcase, followed by the matching skimpy top. Despite the circumstances, her twinge of excitement climbed to full-throttle giddiness. This was her first getaway in years, and she’d be soaking up every debaucherous moment of it.
* * *
Kathryn kept her bright smile plastered on the entire time, although the trip had become their own experience with Murphy’s Law. Starting it all was Jake’s truck blowing a flat on the freeway.
Fixing a flat during the madness of rush hour was a feat in and of itself. But Jake had done it before. What he hadn’t done before was dodge golf-ball-sized hail during said tire change. Freak hailstorms weren’t an everyday occurrence, but in Colorado, hail happens.
Kathryn suspected Jake’s record time in changing the tire would give him bragging rights for years to come.
Next, he’d booked a private executive jet. It was luxurious, complete with leather seats, their own soft blanket-sized pashmina, and stocked with all her favorite snacks and a variety of magazines. She’d never seen anything like it.
It was stunning.
Broken, but stunning.
The replacement part required from maintenance should have taken five minutes. An hour and a half later, they were finally off.
Once they were airborne, Kathryn’s motion sickness kicked in. She’d never flown without Dramamine, but it would have taken longer for the drugs to kick in than for the half-hour flight. And the beautiful chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne were just making matters worse.
At least the bathroom was just as stunning as the rest of the plane. She got several really great looks at it. The toilet bowl was remarkably clean. Embarrassed, she apologized to Jake repeatedly.
Between sipping champagne and eating berries, he apologized back for enjoying the spread. But as he put it, “Braving a hailstorm builds an appetite.”
The tiny airstrip barely seemed capable of handling their jet. But the plane landed like a champ. A driver with a beautiful black town car waited, ready to take them to their destination. But cell service was sketchy, and several U-turns and dry heaves from Kathryn later, they finally arrived at the Springs Resort and Spa at Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
No matter how many things had gone wrong in the past few hours, everything seemed strangely right to Kathryn. Perfect. Exactly the way a woman who’d been on one deployment after another was used to traveling. A trip filled with one screw-up after another was just her cup of tea.
Like all workaholics, Kathryn had heard about this place, but never found the right excuse to go. She skipped along when they finally arrived, wearing a ridiculous smile, goofy in her giddiness.
“Your mood doesn’t spoil easily,” Jake said with a grin.
“Crazy as it sounds, days like this take me back. I miss traveling. And it’s not just me. You’re just as chipper.”
He nodded as they explored the property.
When the bright blue of the geothermal spas came into view, Kathryn pulled in an awe-filled breath. “This is gorgeous.”
They were overlooking the pristine San Juan River, pocketed with the world’s deepest crystal-blue hot springs. Even in the shadows of evening, the lights glistening off the waters shimmered bright, practically inviting her to take the plunge, clothes and all.
The property boasted twenty-four pools of pure mineral water, ranging from eighty to one-hundred-fourteen degrees Fahrenheit. Built by Mother Nature for pure pleasure, the pools were open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
“It’s paradise,” she said softly, and he squeezed her hand.
“I was hoping you’d have that reaction. I’ve always wanted to come here, but never have. You’re my excuse to drop work. And I couldn’t resist the suite we’re in.”
They arrived at the lobby hand-in-hand, making their way to the front desk.
“Ah yes,” the clerk said. “We have you in our magnificent ‘O’ suite.”
Kathryn’s eyes widened as she blinked at the clerk, the manager, and then Jake.
With a boisterous laugh, he pulled her close. “It’s called that because Oprah stayed there.”
Her head sank to his shoulder, hiding her bright red flush as she whispered, “For a moment, I thought it was a different kind of hotel.”
Low in her ear, he said, “It is tonight.”
Her blush deepened.
* * *
Kathryn’s appetite was back. With bags dropped off, they headed to the Alley House Grille. They ate and drank as they reminisced, recounting every catastrophe of the day. She laughed so hard, her cheeks ached. Her stomach was full and happy, and sitting across from Jake was one stitch-fest after another. It was as if years of pent-up laughter were all coming out in a single night.
Jake was more than a piece of heaven. He was the hottest slice. Rugged and rough, sweet and sincere, so many complicated layers made up both the Master and the man. A more perfect man couldn’t possibly exist. She couldn’t imagine being anything but his.
“I need to ask you a strange question,” Kathryn said, scooping a bit of Bailey’s salted caramel sauce onto the spoonful of chocolate layer cake they were sharing.
“You asked if I thought my hard-on was the same size as my foot, and followed up by asking if you could hold my shoe up to it. Is it stranger than that?” Taking advantage of her distracted laugh, he snatched the spoon of dessert into his mouth, sucking it clean with an exaggerated, “Mmm.”
“Hey,” she said, playfully frowning at him as she assembled her perfect mouthful again. “There are no strange questions in medicine.” She brought the spoon to her mouth, indulging in her own suggestive rendition of, “Mmm-mmm-mmm.”
“Watching you eat that spoonful’s pretty exciting.”
She swallowed, giggling.
Then Jake set her back on track. “Okay, what’s your strange question?”
“Um . . .” She stalled, busying herself with fixing the last spoonful. “What should I call you?” She extended the spoonful to him, but he shook his head, pushing it right back to her lips.
“That’s all you. And has Jake gone out of favor?” His curious grin amplified his confusion.
“I mean,” she said quietly, “when we’re alone. I’ve been reading—”
He nudged her hand, lightly shoving the chocolate cake in her mouth. She smiled, enjoying the indulgence and letting him speak.
He moved his chair next to hers. The bright hazel of his eyes darkened, and his voice turned low and commanding. “Close your eyes.”
Without thinking, she did. As she waited, her heart raced and her breathing quickened. But nothing was happening. Still, she sat quietly with her eyes shut, trying to quell her nerves by biting her lip.
“There you go again, being disobedient. What did I say about biting your lip?”
That’s your job. She pressed her lips together with a wanting sigh.
His whisper was hot against her ear. “I sometimes wonder what would push you to use your safe word. We’re in a restaurant. Not packed, but not empty. If I asked you to stand up, you’d do it as quickly as you closed your eyes. I could push you. Insist you bend over the table. What if I pulled up your skirt? Ripped off your panties? Starting with a slow lick . . .”
She parted her lips, saying nothing but taking in a desperate breath.
“You belong to me, kitten, and I’ll fuck you wherever and whenever I want.”
Trying to utter a word was impossible. Breathing was a challenge.
A second later, his tone lightened. “Open your eyes.”
She did, staring at the man she wanted to ride like a pogo stick.
“See, Kathryn? Even without touching you, I control you. Without raising my voice, I command you. I don’t care what you call me, because we both know you’re mine, to do with as I please, and to please you in ways no one else can.”
They exchanged a seductive glance, and Jake called out, “Check, please,” just as Kathryn signaled the waiter.
* * *
Though it was late night, or technically early morning, the idea of taking a sexy dip in a secluded private pool was irresistible. After a quick change into swimsuits topped by bathrobes, Kathryn followed Jake to an oasis of bright blue pools blooming from a sea of darkness.
He sank into the naturally heated spring, but the hunger of his stare didn’t rush her. Slowly, she teased her robe down as Jake’s eyes darkened. Inch by inch, his heated gaze washed over her body, warming her as she disrobed in the cool wilderness.
“I knew you were evil,” Jake grumbled. The mere tone of his voice evoked a shiver that raced across her body. “Remember the rules.”
Rules? Puzzled, she searched his eyes.
“If you say stop, I keep going. If you say red, we stop. But that won’t stop me from holding you in my arms and kissing you until I’m satisfied you’re all right.”
“Oh,” she said, smiling through her unusual shyness as she slipped into the water, which was barely waist deep.
He pulled her to straddle him. With his tongue trailing her neck, he tugged at the string holding up her bikini top, caressing her breasts with his hot, wet palms after revealing them.
“This is for you,” he said. “Here. Now. Under the stars.”
She kissed him, ravenous to taste him.
Hold him.
Love him.
He looked down, staring at the last of the fabric concealing her. “Take them off and give them to me,” he said, his voice gruff against her neck.
She untied each side of her bikini bottoms and tugged them away, then placed the scrap of fabric in his waiting hand.
Once he set her suit aside, his hands moved across her thighs, positioning themselves perfectly across her round, firm butt. Then, spreading her cheeks, he rubbed the length of his cock back and forth across her sensitive hole.
Her lips parted, inviting his eager tongue to forage and explore.
Light and tender, he nibbled and kissed her mouth as his fingers grazed her ass. Slowly, he skimmed them back and forth. As his tongue mirrored the movements of his hand, she began to whimper.
She sucked in a breath before moaning louder. Her body took in the slow build of pleasure, ready for anything he would give.
“Hands behind your back,” he demanded.
“Here?” Uncertainty rang in her tone as she glanced around, suddenly suspicious of every shadow in the darkness.
“Right here.” Low and commanding, he whispered sternly into her ear. “Right now, kitten.”
With a terse bite on her earlobe, he forced her hands behind her back.
“Good girl.”
Skillfully, he wrapped each of her wrists, tying them snugly but without pain. With her heart beating out of her chest and her nipples peaked and aching for his touch, she couldn’t hold back the whimpers underlying each fevered breath.
Slipping a finger between the bindings and her skin, he asked, “Okay?”
Barely able to breathe, she nodded.
His strong palm caressed her breast as his thumb lightly flicked her nipple. Playfully, he scolded her. “Are the bindings okay? Yes or no, kitten?” he said, pinching her nipple hard and releasing her answer.
“Yes,” she cried out with a gasp, much louder than intended. Before her sudden shriek swept her into embarrassment, his mouth was upon hers, comforting her with a deep, soothing kiss.
“Good.” Barely at her entry, he thrust deep inside, forcing her tight walls to stretch wide.
She pressed her lips to his neck, quieting her ecstasy in silent shouts. Wrapping her hair around his hand, he pulled her face away to command her.
“Ride me. Hard.”
Her body moved to his will as a wandering finger skimmed her skin until it stopped at the sensitive hole of her butt. Working back and forth over his hardness, she obeyed him, riding the fullness of his cock, even as his finger inched in, working its way deeper and deeper into her tight ass.
“Is this what you want? Me, filling all of you at once?”
He didn't wait for a response. A second finger pushed in, stinging and yet soothing, fucking her from behind while his cock worked her core.
“Yes,” she said, her voice quivering.
She sucked his tongue as he forced it into her mouth. Her body rocked with all of him, tightening and tantalizing in a swirl of sensations ready to erupt.
“You belong to me,” he said low. “All of you.”
God, yes. All his.
There was nothing but Jake—everywhere—consuming her with a lustful bliss where nothing mattered but every second of his touch.
His thrusts split her wider. Her body chased a peak of pleasure so intense, she struggled for air. Arching back and shuddering, a series of wild cries pierced the quiet night.
They were her own.
Panting, she collapsed against his shoulder, shaking in his hold. His thick cock pushed deep inside her, pulsing and releasing his own hot climax deep into the center of her core.
Releasing her wrists, he held her, tenderly kissing her cheeks and head. “You’re so beautiful, Kathryn. And you’re mine.”
Once they were robed and ready to head back to their suite, with their wet swimsuits tucked into the oversized pockets of the plush cotton, Kathryn was startled by a member of the staff. He approached, armed with a small-caliber rifle.
“I need to ask you folks to head back to your room.”
Kathryn clutched the robe tighter around herself, burning with embarrassment.
Jake played it casual. “Sorry, I thought the pools were open twenty-four hours.”
Damn, this man has balls. I mean, bigger ones than my eyes-on verification proved.
“We’ve had complaints of loud cries . . .”
“Yeah?” Jake said, wrapping a tight arm around Kathryn, securing her to him before she could bolt.
The staff member nodded. “And we’ve got bobcats and cougars.”
Kathryn blew out a relieved breath. “Oh.”
Jake squeezed her side as he said, “Well, we heard it too. And it was definitely a wild cat of some sort. My money’s on a cougar.”
Glaring at him, she suffered the sting of being freshly branded.
* * *
Later, comfortable in their luxurious bed, Kathryn sighed as Jake tugged her body close to his. Her head relaxed into its permanent nightly home nestled in the crook of his neck. His free hand stroked through the strands of her damp hair. They both lay there, awake.
“I need to tell you something, Kathryn.”
Something in his low tone made her tense, a level of seriousness she hadn’t heard from him before. She looked up, studying his expression. “You can tell me anything.”
“You sure?”
No, she thought, but she sat up, bracing herself for the unknown impact of something important.
“Yes,” she said, confident she could conceal the worry in her eyes.
He sat up as well, and reached up to caress her cheek. “When this case is done, which might be very soon, what are your plans?”
Confused, she asked, “My plans?”
What plans? I’ve been flying by the seat of my pants since our first night. For the first time in my life, I have no plans.
With nothing to say, she stayed silent.
“Are you going home?” he asked.
She turned away. “I guess . . .”
“You guess?”
Something in his tone rubbed her wrong. Is he mocking me?
She looked back at Jake, and his cheesy grin made her collapse with relief in his arms. “Are you messing with me?”
“No, kitten,” he said before he kissed her softly. “What I’m doing is making sure you don’t have an escape plan. Because if it’s up to me, you’re never leaving. I’ve watched you for years, making sure you were all right. Protected. I love you, Kathryn. And I want you to move in with me.”
She cupped his face, softly rubbing the stubble on his jaw. “I love you too, Jake.”
Their lips met as they melted into each other, clinging to the moment. Again, her body begged for the hard rush of being made his.